Putin warns foreign 'foes' aiming to interfere in elections

MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin is warning that opponents in other countries are preparing attempts to interfere in this autumn's parliamentary elections.

Putin told a meeting Friday of top officials of the Federal Security Service that "foes abroad" are "getting prepared for these elections" and that at any attempts at external intervention "must be upset."

Putin's comments echo the Kremlin's frequent contention that political dissent in Russia is funded and organized by Western forces that seek to undermine the country and force Putin from office.

Russia has pointed to mass protests that drove out leaders in Ukraine and Georgia as examples of purported Western interference.